LPD News Blog

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On 10/28/13 at approximately 07:30 pm, Ms. Robin Hamilton contacted the Lakeland Police Department and reported her 26 year old daughter, Elizabeth Rae Hamilton, as “missing” from her job at the Lakeland Square Mall. LPD officers responded to event location and initiated an investigation. Through their efforts it was believed that Elizabeth may have been taken by her ex-boyfriend, who was identified as Brett Lee Curtis, w/m, dob 10/11/85.

LPD detectives continued the investigation by interviewing witnesses and family members. A statewide BOLO was issued for a white, Nissan Altima which was believed to be the vehicle being driven by Mr. Curtis. That vehicle was spotted by a South Daytona Police officer at 3:03 am. When the driver refused to stop a police chase ensued.

According to Volusia County Sheriff’s Department POI Gary Davidson, the chase ended after the vehicle was disabled with the use of “stop sticks” deployed by Brevard County deputies. During the chase, the driver of that vehicle opened fire on pursuing police units. No reports of injuries to any law enforcement officers have been reported. As the vehicle came to a stop near the 225 mile marker on I-95 in Brevard County, a white female, identified as Elizabeth Hamilton was able to escape from the vehicle. The driver remained in the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation of that incident indicates that the driver appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:56 am.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Department has assumed the death investigation at this time. For additional information please contact that agency.

UPDATE
FAMILY STATEMENT

Ms. Robin Hamilton, mother of Elizabeth Rae Hamilton has asked that we issue the following statement for their family:

“We are not commenting on the case at this time as it is under investigation. We would like to express our deep gratitude and sincere thanks for the efforts of all law enforcement and security agencies who aided in the process which culminated in our daughter’s safe return. We would also like to especially thank the officers and detectives of the Lakeland Police Department for their immediate response, steady determination, and exemplary manner in which they handled this matter”